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England riots: Two jailed for using Facebook to incite disorder

Two men from Cheshire have been jailed for four years each for using Facebook to incite disorder during riots in England last week.

Jordan Blackshaw, 21, of Vale Road, Marston and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, of Richmond Avenue, Warrington, were jailed at Chester Crown Court.

The Recorder of Chester, Judge Elgan Edwards praised the swift actions of Cheshire Police.

He said he hoped the sentences would act as a deterrent to others.

Both men pleaded guilty under sections 44 and 46 of the Serious Crime Act to intentionally encouraging another to assist the commission of an indictable offence.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Blackshaw had created a Facebook event called "Smash d[o]wn in Northwich Town", intended for the receipt of the "Mob Hill Massive Northwich Lootin'".

The page went on to specify a meeting time and place of 9 August, between 13:00 and 16:00 BST, "behind maccies" - thought to be the McDonald's restaurant in Northwich town centre.

'Serious disorder'

Blackshaw also added the first comment on his page, writing: "We'll need to get this kickin off all over."

Police were alerted to Sutcliffe-Keenan's page when members of the public raised concerns on 9 August.

The page invited people to "riot" on 10 August between 19:00 BST and 22:00 BST.

Martin McRobb, from the Merseyside and Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, said: "They both used Facebook to organise and orchestrate serious disorder at a time when such incidents were taking place in other parts of the country.

"Both defendants, in Northwich and Warrington respectively, sought to gain widespread support in order to replicate similar criminality."

'Abused technology'

He added: "While the judge heard the two defendants were previously of good character, they admitted committing very serious offences that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years."

Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police, Phil Thompson, said: "From the offset Cheshire Constabulary adopted a robust policing approach using the information coming into the organisation to move quickly and effectively against any person whose behaviour was likely to encourage criminality.

"Officers took swift action against those people who have been using Facebook and other social media sites to incite disorder.

"The sentences passed down today recognise how technology can be abused to incite criminal activity and sends a strong message to potential troublemakers about the extent to which ordinary people value safety and order in their lives and their communities.

"Anyone who seeks to undermine that will face the full force of the law."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-14551582

What do you think on these sentences?

Probably be reduced on appeal unfortunately, it was the other one i heard on the news which was more annoying, 3 got 18 months(not enough) and the one who had a history of drug and alcohol addiction got a 10 month suspended sentence, all for the same crime.

The suspended sentence they deserve is the one where they're hanging from a dangly rope. The jobs that some of these idiots hold down as well????? Disadvantaged my arse.

I think they are harsh.

Four years for making a group on Facebook which nothing came of it. Just two young lads who made a mistake.

Most drug dealers, serious assualt cases, rapists and paedophiles don't even get four years.

Two stupid young lads who were previously of good character, surely a community penalty would of been better?

I hold the opinion that other sentencing is to lenient, because nothing came of it is no defence, i could plan to blow up a load of people, just because i don't pull it off shouldn't mean i get off with it.

So what do you do if someone makes a big bomb up and doesn't get round to setting it off, slap on the wrist? If their riots had got worked up and someone had been killed it would've been too late. They certainly were idiots and they won't do it again and it might discourage some others from having a go, job done.

Hmmm i am in two minds about this one - and you all pose good arguments.

I feel the sentences have been too harsh for them - 4 years is a long time for planning a riot that never pulled off. There is a slight difference between trying (and failing) to organise a riot and to threatening to blow a load of people up!

However on the other hand, I don't believe they should get away with trying to do something like this - maybe a lesser sentence so their jail cell can hold a convicted peodaphile or a cold blooded killer instead.

Maybe a sentence of 12 months, and community service.

But that's my opinion.

All these sentences being handed out are just 'money for the boys', and to appease the baying public, by making it look like the are doing something.

The judges are passing these sentences knowing they're going to be appealed, and in times of recession the legal profession, just like any other, are going to do their best to keep their salaries up.

I suspect that this was purpose of the sentence.

Some sentencing has very little to do with the actual offence and far more the deterrent it gives to others who might consider similar action.

If peopl want to do something, they will, and nothing anybody can ever do will stop them, what you have to do is to make it so that if they do (whatever the action may be) the consequences of doing so far outweigh any immediate advantage they may achieve.

I agree these are sentences to make an example of the boys and so know one else thinks about doing it.

I just think it's wrong ruining the next four years of these lads lives for a silly mistake they made on the internet.

Put it this way they both deserve what they got.Imagine if they where in saudi they would have been flogged and sentance to a harsh life in a saudi prison. Cause the saudi goverment would had seen it as a up rising.. in some of the saudi country you would get your hand cut off if you robbed a car or a pencil.

After all it's the thought that counts isn't it ?

Some countries they would have been hanged. Deserve everything they've got coming to them. I'm sure they would want the same if it was their families homes or business burnt down.

I know one of these guys he deseved what he got

Well we live in a country that doesn't operate a biblical judicial system and if they deserve what they got, what do paedophiles deserve for downloading child porn? Which is a much more severe offence imo.